Fire ravages bar

Fire ravages bar
ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. -- An off-duty firefighter heading to his second job was the first to see a blaze at a borough bar. Firefighters said they were called to The Homestead, 1 Fountain Ave., at 4:30 this morning. The bar was heavily damaged by flames and water, firefighters said. No estimate of loss was available this morning. The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal was expected to investigate this morning. Firefighters from four nearby townships assisted.
Crash injures cyclist
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A Union Township crash left a motorcyclist with severe injuries. Pennsylvania State Police said Jerry W. Barker, 49, of RD 2, New Castle, was wearing a helmet, but was hurt when a car pulled into the path of his 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle on U.S. Route 224 at Idlewild Drive at 5:10 p.m. Monday. Car driver Roy Cline, 77, of Crestwood Drive was not hurt, police said. Barker was taken by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. His condition was not available this morning.
House fire investigated
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is investigating an early morning fire at a North Lee Street home. City Fire Chief James Donston said the blaze started around 3 a.m. at Karl Booker's home on 28 N. Lee St. Donston said the house was empty because Booker and a cousin were spending the night at another relative's home. Donston estimates there was about $20,000 damage. The fire chief said the blaze started on the second floor and extended to the roof.
Robbed in Salem
SALEM -- A woman was robbed of about $100 as she prepared to enter a downtown bank. The Seventh Street woman told police she was walking on the 300 block of East State Street around 4 p.m. Tuesday. A man walking the other way bumped into her, grabbed the cash and ran. The man was described as heavy-set, about 5-feet, 6-inches tall with sandy hair. He was wearing a black hooded shirt and blue jeans. No age was given.
Benefit for youth camp
LISBON -- The Lisbon First United Methodist Church, 114 E. Washington St., will host a soup luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the church's fellowship hall. Cost is $5 for adults and teens. Children 12 and under will be charged $3. Proceeds will be used to benefit a fund used to send youths to camp.
Police gear stolen
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ten complete uniforms and other gear belonging to a former Mahoning County deputy sheriff were taken during a break-in at an unoccupied house in the 2500 block of Taft Avenue, reports show. Police said the rear door had been broken open last week. The gear taken includes a duty belt, handcuffs and case, magazine pouch and holster.
Paralyzed man sittingon porch is shot, killed
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A man who was paralyzed from a previous shooting was shot and killed as he sat on his grandmother's porch, police said. Edward Howard, 24, of Pittsburgh, died of gunshot wounds to his face and chest at a Pittsburgh hospital after he was shot Tuesday evening, police said.
Police said Howard, who was paralyzed after a 2001 shooting, was sitting in a folding chair when a dark van pulled up and someone fired nine shots at him. He apparently tried to seek cover inside the doorway, police said. His grandmother and several children were in the house but were not injured, police said.
According to police, Howard was shot four times at a Pittsburgh car wash in January 2001, leaving him paralyzed. Six month later, he was shot in the arm while driving in the city with two men, who were killed.
Council to meet
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council will meet with three companies wanting to complete the city's comprehensive plan at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in council chambers. The companies were to give presentations Monday, but two of the three companies were not prepared, said city solicitor James Manolis. In other business, council members decided to put any board appointments on hold until after Tuesday's election. Councilman John Russo said at Monday's caucus that the new mayor and council should be responsible for any new board appointments. Mayor Timothy Fulkerson, who did not seek reelection, had recommended the board appoint Ann LePore-Conte to the city's shade tree commission.